# Flagpole tips/finials in different countries

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flagpole-tips-finials-in-different-countries/428633>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [December 3, 2007, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flagpole-tips-finials-in-different-countries/428633 "2007-12-03T06:07:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flagpole-tips-finials-in-different-countries/428633/1 "2007-12-03T06:07:09Z")

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Here in the U.S., flagpoles tend to be topped either with eagles:

[http://www.flagsinternational.com/Large%20Pics/Flagpoles/Outdoor%20Ground%20Mount/Eagles.jpg](http://www.flagsinternational.com/Large%20Pics/Flagpoles/Outdoor%20Ground%20Mount/Eagles.jpg)

or with spear tips like this:

[http://www.techresales.com/images/GoldSpearPl.jpg](http://www.techresales.com/images/GoldSpearPl.jpg).

How about in your country?

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**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2007, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flagpole-tips-finials-in-different-countries/428633/2 "2007-12-03T19:43:58Z")

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For Canada, a [maple leaf](http://www.expressflags.com/metal_maple_leaf.htm) is most common. See [Finials and Fringes on Flags](http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/xf-fina.html) for some info on other common national finials.

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**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2007, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flagpole-tips-finials-in-different-countries/428633/3 "2007-12-04T03:29:44Z")

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I’ve seen mostly spear points, sharp and almost functional in some cases. Considering where banners and flags came from, you’re going to find spears in most cases. Only vaguely blade-like points like a fleur-de-lis (originated from the arms of the French monarchy, by the way) or maple leaves are going to be the exceptions.

Japanese banners were sometimes flown not just as unit flags, but also for unit identification. Europeans used surcoats for the same purpose. If you’ve ever seen a Kurosawa film, you’ve probably seen guys with these banners attached to the back of their armor. Traditional banners mostly took the form seen in [this picture](http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/j/jp_nagah.jpg), which has the advantage of always being clearly visible even when there is no wind and it is not in motion. The disadvantage is a little bit of clunkiness. There are no finials on these kinds of banners.

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**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2007, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flagpole-tips-finials-in-different-countries/428633/4 "2007-12-04T19:16:41Z")

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Not exactly a country, but I frequently see the Christian Flag topped with a cross.

(Where do I see it? In church. On the right hand side of the altar area. Opposite the American Flag, topped of course with an eagle. Both flags must be trimmed with gold fringe).

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**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flagpole-tips-finials-in-different-countries/428633/5 "2007-12-04T20:38:44Z")

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The Holy See _is_ considered a country and its flag staff is topped with Catholic Cross.